The For-Us concept portrays the Smart as the ideal city ute, with room in the back for a pair of bicycles - or at least, the custom-designed bicycles that Smart has brought along to Detroit.

The latest concept from Daimler's Smart brand is powered by the same 55kW and 130Nm electric motor that drives the production ForTwo Electric Drive, drawing energy from a 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery.

The battery pack also provides power for a docking station in the cargo area, which can be used to charge electric-assisted bicycles.

Although the electric motor powers only the rear wheels, Smart says a 4x4 configuration ( and "off-roadability") could easily be achieved by adding motors to the front wheels.

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The wheelbase of the For-Us measures 2480mm - 613mm longer than the ForTwo - with a total length of 2547mm.

The track has also been widened by 50mm, and there's an extra 50mm of ground clearance.

The For-Us is as much a study in design as it is a mere electric vehicle concept, with the taillights designed open and provide additional storage space for either the charging cable, or drink bottles for bicycles.

Whether the For-Us will enter production is unclear (we see no reason that it shouldn't), but if nothing else, it is likely that the concept will preview the styling of the next-generation Smart line-up - along with the recent ForTwo-previewing ForVision concept.